Virgin teams up with Soles4Souls on Vanuatu

Soles4Souls, a global social enterprise that collects shoes and distributes them to people in need around the globe, has teamed up with Carnival Australia, Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic Cargo to provide shoes and clothing to people in need in Vanuatu following the devastation of Cyclone Pam that hit in March 2015.

Soles4Souls, a global social enterprise that collects shoes and distributes them to people in need around the globe, has teamed up with Carnival Australia, Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic Cargo to provide shoes and clothing to people in need in Vanuatu following the devastation of Cyclone Pam that hit in March 2015. Through this partnership, Soles4Souls will be able to distribute 10,000 pieces of clothing (including shirts, shorts and skirts) and 20,580 pairs of flip-flops. Carnival Australia and Virgin Australia have donated their cruise ships and aircraft to bring these items to Vanuatu.

“Sometimes, the most challenging part of our job isn’t getting items donated, but distributing those items to people in hard to reach places who need them,” said Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles4Souls.

“It’s through partnerships with generous, innovative companies like Carnival Australia and Virgin Australia that we’re able to see our mission through to the end. We’re grateful and inspired that they’ve stepped up to transport this important shipment.”

The island of Vanuatu, situated 1,090 miles east of northern Australia, was devastated by Cyclone Pam last month. The storm was regarded as one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the island and left behind destruction, death and injury. Thousands of homes, schools and buildings were damaged or destroyed, with an estimated 3,300 people displaced as a result. Many were left without proper footwear and clothing, leaving them susceptible to injury and disease.

On to its 6th year, The Payload Asia Awards is a celebration of excellence, spotlighting the air cargo supply chain companies that have excelled in the industry by rising above the very challenging global air freight market. These companies have shown market adeptness, innovative thinking and superior strategy – to make a positive impact on their own business and the market in general.

This year’s award continues with the innovative dual track awards – the first and only in the industry – that offers two unique but equally legitimate views of excellence.

In the vein of the entertainment industry’s People’s Choice Awards and the Academy Awards, we present the Customer Choice Awards and the Industry Choice Awards – the first determined by popular online voting and the second through ranking by an esteemed industry panel.

Payload Asia continues to be the authoritative source for informative, accurate and up-todate news and information on the air cargo industry and related sectors. With its updated and refreshed look the print edition continues to provide high quality coverage on the Asia-Pacific, India-Middle East, Europe-CIS, North & South America and Africa air cargo markets.